Amplifon downgraded by Barclays, Jefferies after surprise €2.3 bln GN deal

try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Oil prices slide over 2% on Iraq-Kurdish supply deal; Iran fears persist Up 31%+, this AI-picked energy infrastructure play is a Middle East conflict win Gold prices drop below $5,000/oz as rate uncertainty grows before Fed meeting Wall Street extends this week’s rebound a day ahead of Fed interest rate decision FLASH SALE (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) FLASH SALE Amplifon downgraded by Barclays, Jefferies after surprise €2.3 bln GN deal By Author Navamya Acharya Stock Markets Published 03/18/2026, 05:27 AM Amplifon downgraded by Barclays, Jefferies after surprise €2.3 bln GN deal 0 GN -3.71% AMPF -1.51% Investing.com -- Amplifon SpA shares fell to their lowest level since late 2016 after the Italian hearing-aid retailer announced a surprise €2.3 billion acquisition of GN Hearing, drawing downgrades from Barclays and Jefferies, which cut their price targets by 38% and 50% respectively. Stay ahead with live news, stock impact insights, and Wall Street analysis - save 55% The stock traded at €8.02 on Wednesday, down from €10.52 on March 13, the last session before the announcement. Amplifon peaked at €47.45 in December 2021. Under terms announced March 16, Amplifon will pay GN Store Nord cash consideration of €1.69 billion, financed through debt of up to €1 billion and an equity raise of up to €0.75 billion, plus 56 million new Amplifon shares giving GN a stake of approximately 16% in the enlarged group. The deal requires no shareholder approval by either party, though Amplifon may require one if the equity raise exceeds 20% of share capital. Closing is expected by end-2026, subject to regulatory approvals and completion of the GN Hearing carve-out. Barclays, cutting to “equal weight” from “overweight” with a price target of €10, said the deal "marks a big strategic change" for a company it had backed for its retail-only model. "We saw appeal in the retail-only business model at Amplifon, offering pricing p...